System for aligning trailer hitches

• US 4,065,147 A
• Filed: 06/01/1976
• Issued: 12/27/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John E. Ross
• Original Assignee: John E. Ross
• Inventors: Ross, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schrecengost, R.
• Application Number:
  US05/691,370
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 33/264, 33/286, 116/28 R
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003

Abstract

A system for aligning a leading vehicle with the vehicle to be trailed, the leading vehicle being of the type having a rearward window facing the trailing vehicle and a rear hitch for attaching a tongue of the trailing vehicle thereto. The system includes an indicating mark on the rearward window, and a rod mounted on the tongue of the trailing vehicle, the rod telescoping in both the vertical and horizontal directions such that the dimension of the rod may be adjusted so that the extremity of the rod comes into contact with the rearward window immediately adjacent the indicating means when the hitch of the leading vehicle is in alignment with the tongue of the trailing vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for aligning a leading vehicle with a vehicle to be trailed, wherein said leading vehicle is of the type having two rearward windows in a direction facing said trailing vehicle, said system comprising:

a mark on each of said rearward windows of said leading vehicle;

means for changing the dimension of said rod in a first direction toward said leading vehicle;

means for changing the dimension of said rod in a second direction substantially transverse to said first direction;

a rod mounted on said trailing vehicle, said rod dimensioned such that the extremity thereof contacts said window immediately adjacent said indicating means on said rearward window of said leading vehicle when proper alignment of said leading vehicle with said trailing vehicle has been effected; and

wherein

said rod includes two arms at said extremity with each arm adapted to contact one of said windows at the corresponding mark on said windows.

2. The system recited in claim 1 wherein said rod includes a pliable member mounted on said extremity.

3. A system for aligning a leading vehicle with a vehicle to be trailed, wherein said leading vehicle is a sedan automobile of the type having a flat trunk deck and having a rearward window over said trunk deck and facing said trailing vehicle, and a rear hitch for attaching said trailing vehicle thereto, and wherein said trailing vehicle is of the type having a hitch-engaging tongue at the forward end thereof, said system comprising:

a mark on said rearward window of said leading vehicle;

a rod mounted on said tongue of said trailing vehicle;

a pliable member mounted on one end of said rod;

means for changing the dimension of said rod in a first direction toward said leading vehicle;

means for changing the dimension of said rod in a second direction substantially normal to said first direction; and

wherein

said rod is dimensioned so as to extend over said trunk deck and said first and second direction dimension changing means are adjusted such that said pliable member comes into contact with said rearward window at said mark on said rearward window when said hitch is in a position of alignment with said trailing vehicle tongue.